Dell PowerEdge Model Numbers Explained: How to Read R640, R740xd and More

Dell PowerEdge model numbers look cryptic at first, but they follow a pattern. Once you can read them, a name like R740xd tells you the form factor, the class of the machine, its generation and, in many cases, the processor platform and remote management version it uses.

That matters when you are buying refurbished, because two servers that look similar on paper can be several years and one or two processor generations apart. This guide explains how the naming convention works and decodes the models you are most likely to see.

How does the Dell PowerEdge naming convention work?

Dell’s own support article on PowerEdge servers by generation says the model naming scheme gives insight into the generation, the class of system, the form factor or the CPU socket count. Dell does not publish a formal digit-by-digit definition, but the pattern is consistent across its rack and tower range.

Take the R740xd as an example:

• R: rack server.
• 7: class or tier within the range. Higher numbers generally mean a larger or more capable system.
• 4: 14th generation.
• 0: Intel processor platform.
• xd: the storage-dense variant of the R740.

So an R740xd is a 14th generation, Intel-based rack server built for more drives than the standard R740. Dell’s documentation confirms it as a 2U server with two Intel Xeon Scalable processors and up to 24 front 2.5-inch drive bays.

What do the letters R, T, M and MX mean?

The opening letter tells you the physical format, which is the first thing to settle when buying:

• R (rack): mounts in a standard 19-inch rack. The R640 and R740 are the most common refurbished examples.
• T (tower): a standalone server. Models such as the T330, T440 and T640 are rackable towers that take 5U once rack-mounted.
• M and MX (modular): blade servers that slot into a shared chassis, such as the MX7000. They are rarely a good fit for a single small business server.

Dell’s generation list also includes specialist families such as C, XE and XR. These are aimed at dense compute, accelerated and edge deployments rather than typical office or comms room use, so we will not cover them in detail here.

How do you tell the generation from the model number?

The second digit is the generation. Dell’s generation list confirms the pattern: the R630 is 13th generation, the R640 is 14th, the R650 is 15th, the R660 is 16th and the R670 is 17th. The same applies to towers, so the T330 is 13th generation and the T440 is 14th.

Each generation brings a new processor platform and, at some points, a new version of iDRAC, Dell’s built-in remote management controller.

Dell launched its 14th generation portfolio in 2017 around the then-new Intel Xeon Scalable processors, and later 14th generation documentation lists support for 2nd Gen Xeon Scalable chips. In the 17th generation, Dell’s list also includes AI-focused systems with different names, such as the Dell Server 8712, which do not follow the classic pattern.

What do the first and last digits tell you?

The first digit: class

The first digit places the server within the range. Lower numbers are entry-level machines, higher numbers are larger and more capable. The T330, for example, is a single-socket tower using Xeon E3-1200 v5 processors, while the T440 and T640 are dual-socket towers.

In the popular two-socket rack lines, the 6 and 7 classes have tended to separate 1U and 2U designs. The R640, R650 and R660 are 1U servers, while the R730, R740 and R750 are 2U. Treat that as a useful pattern rather than a rule, and always confirm the height on the specification sheet before ordering rails.

The last digit: Intel or AMD

Classic three-digit names ending in 0 are Intel-based. AMD EPYC servers get a four-digit name ending in 5. Dell’s list marks the R6415 and R7415 (14th generation), the R6515 and R6525 (15th), the R6615 (16th) and the R6715 (17th) as AMD systems. The second digit still gives the generation.

What do xd, xa, xs and other suffixes mean?

Suffixes mark variants of a base model. Dell does not formally spell them out, and on its own community forum a Dell representative said they were unsure the letters actually stand for anything. The practical meaning is clear from the hardware, though:

• xd: storage-dense. The R730xd takes up to two Xeon E5-2600 v3 or v4 processors in 2U, like the R730, but with front layouts of up to 24 2.5-inch or 12 3.5-inch drives. The R740xd continues the idea with optional mid and rear bays.
• xa: accelerator-focused. Dell calls the R750xa its flagship server for GPU-based workloads, with room for up to four double-width accelerators at the front.
• xs: a streamlined version. The R750xs has 16 DIMM slots compared with 32 on the standard R750, and Dell positions it for scale-out uses such as virtualisation, VDI and software-defined storage.
• xd2: another storage-focused variant, used on models such as the R740xd2 and R760xd2.

Common refurbished PowerEdge models decoded

These models are common on the refurbished market. Here is how each one decodes, using Dell’s own documentation:

Why the generation matters when you buy refurbished

The generation affects far more than processor speed. It determines which memory, drives, carriers, RAID controllers and firmware the server accepts, and which remote management features you get. iDRAC9 on 14th generation servers, for example, brought an HTML5 interface, according to Dell’s iDRAC8 and iDRAC9 feature comparison.

Before buying, decide which workloads the server must run and for how long. A 13th generation R730 can still make a capable file server or lab host, while a 14th or 15th generation machine suits heavier virtualisation and gives you a longer runway. If you are also weighing up HPE ProLiant, our Dell vs HP servers comparison covers the brand question, and our roundup of the best refurbished server brands adds Lenovo to the mix.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Dell R740 better than the R640?

Neither is better outright. Both are 14th generation, two-socket servers using Intel Xeon Scalable processors and iDRAC9. The R640 is a 1U server with up to 10 front 2.5-inch bays, which saves rack space. The R740 is 2U, supports up to 16 drives and has more room for expansion cards. Choose on drive count, expansion and rack space.

What does 13G or 14G mean on a Dell server?

It is shorthand for the server generation: 13G is 13th generation, 14G is 14th generation, and so on. Dell’s support site groups PowerEdge models this way. You can read it straight from the model name, because the second digit is the generation: R630 is 13G, R640 is 14G, R650 is 15G and R660 is 16G.

How do I check which generation my Dell server is?

Look at the model name on the front of the server or in the iDRAC web interface, then read the second digit. A 3 means 13th generation, a 4 means 14th, and so on. If the name is unclear, Dell’s support article listing PowerEdge servers by generation covers every model and its iDRAC version.

Which Dell PowerEdge generation is the best value refurbished?

For most small and mid-sized businesses, 14th generation models such as the R640, R740 and T440 hit a good balance. They use Intel Xeon Scalable processors and iDRAC9, and were widely deployed by corporates. 13th generation servers cost less and still suit lighter workloads, while 15th generation and newer cost more but add newer processors.

Are AMD-based PowerEdge servers named differently?

Yes. Intel-based rack servers usually have three-digit numbers ending in 0, such as the R640. AMD EPYC models get a four-digit number ending in 5, such as the R6415 (14th generation), R6515 and R6525 (15th) and R6615 (16th). The second digit still gives the generation, so the same decoding rule applies.

Now that you can decode a PowerEdge model number, browse our refurbished servers or send us your requirements through the server configuration page. We test every server before listing, configure the memory, drives, RAID and rails to order, and deliver nationwide from Johannesburg.